OPP consent decree hearings continue

Sheriff Marlin Gusman takes the stand

More than two weeks after a federal judge approved the Orleans Parish Prison consent decree aimed at reforming the New Orleans jail. Phase two of three hearings in a class action lawsuit over unconstitutional conditions at the OPP, got underway in federal court, Monday.

Many of those questions came from the city of New Orleans, that has continued to argue the sheriff has been irresponsibly running his jail, created a financial mess and now wants the city to pay for the clean-up.

U.S. District Judge Lance Africk cited a history of inmate deaths, sexual assaults and poor medical care at the OPP for his ruling to approve the controversial consent decree.

If forced to pay for the OPP consent decree, the city has said it would add $22 million to the already $30 million it pays Gusman annually and could lead to sweeping layoffs.

A third phase of these hearings scheduled for later this summer will determine who will pay for the the agreement.

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